Electric switch mechanism



May 2, 1933.v R. L. TRANsTRoM Er Al. 1,907,016 ELECTRIC swITcH MEcHANIsM Filed June 25, 1930' 2 sheets-sheet 1 o. F1 v *5 May 2, 1933 R. 1 TRANsTRoM r-:r AL 1,907,016

" ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHANISM Filed June 2s, 1930 2 sheets-sheet 2 Paar L. @Ammo/w Patented May 2, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT L. TRANSTROM AND HOWARD HURLBUT, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, AS'- SIGNORS TO WAYNE COMPANY, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, A CORPORATION F INDIANA ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHANISM Application led June 23,

This invention pertains to liquid dispensing apparatus, and more particularly to an automatic electric switch mechanism for controlling the supply of liquid from a supply tank to a measuring container.

An object of the invention is to provide a positive control of the iiow of liquid, in supplying said liquid from a supply tank to a measuring container of a liquid dispensing apparatus.

Another object of the invent-ion 1s to provide a simple, accurate, reliable and eiiiclent liquid dispensing apparatus in which various control parts function with precision and in an approved manner.

A further object of the invention is to p rovide a liquid dispensing apparatus in which the various parts cooperate in a manner to meet all requirements of service and manufacturing conditions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a switch control mechanism for oo ntrolling the operating means in a liquid dispensing apparatus whereby the duration of flow of liquid from a supply tank to a measuring container is controlled automatically.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a control means for automatically controlling the period of operation of an electric motor and rotary pump used in filling the measuring container of a gasoline dispensing apparatus from a storage tank.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the speciication, drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a portion of the overflow pipe in a liquid dispensing apparatus, showing the automatic control device associated therewith, the same being indicated in operating position, or position wherein the measuring container is belng filled;

1930. Serial No. 463,054.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a sectional top plan view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation, certain parts being omitted, of the switch mechanism shown in Figure 1, showing the same in operating position;

Figure 5 is a View corresponding to Figure 4 showing the same in inoperative position, or wherein the supply of liquid to the measuring container is cut 0E Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of a modified form of the device corresponding to Figure l; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation through the tripping mechanism, dotted lines indicating inoperative position thereof, the section being taken from the rear of Figure 6.

Some liquid dispensing apparatus are of the so-called visible type in which the glass container is disposed at the top of the pedestal and is readily visible to a purchaser, the liquid being drawn off from a container through the conventional hose and nozzle. The liquid is pumped or supplied from a source of liquid supply or a supply tank by a pump, either mechanically or electrically driven, or manually operated, or by means of compressed fluid, as air. In case an electric motor is used to drive either a reciprocating or a rotary type of pump it is desirable to provide some practical form of automatic control means whereby, after the proper level is reached in the measuring container, the motor will be rendered inoperative. The proper level in the container may, of course, be readily controlled by means of the overiiow pipe 10 extending from the desired level in the container back to the supply tank. In the present device the overflow pipe is utilized as means for controlling the switch mechanism for rendering the motor inoperative.

Referring now particularly to the drawincludes a cup 18 mounted on the arm 20 and pivotally mounted to the casin as on the rod 22, the rod extending throng a suitable stuffing box in the casing and being provided with the lever tripping member 24. The member 20 is preferabl provided with shoulders 26 and 28 adapte to have limiting conof the pivoted switch member 42 tact with the casing and as shown, the casing is provided with a suitable plug 30 providing access to the 'casing for adjustment of the spoon member on the shaft 22 by means of the adjusting screw 32. The cup 18 is provided with a small drain aperture 34 whereby no liquid is trapped or retained in the cup to cause premature ti ping operation of the spoon. The switch or controlling operation of the motor, not shown, of the liquid 'dispensing apparatus is suitably housed in the switch box 36, preferabl secured to the casing 14 b means of the racket 38 and the securing bo ts 40.

The switch mechanism preferably is of the automatic cut-oil' type and consists essentially ivotally mounted as at 44 and having one eg 46 in contact with the spring pressed plunger 48 normally urging the switch contacts to open position by means of the spring 50 provided in the housing 52. The switch operating member 54 is adapted to be contacted by the finger 56 of the operating member 58 for moving the member 54 toward the right as viewed in Figures 4 and 5 to close the contacts 60 and 62 whereby electric connection is made between the conductors 64 and 66 causing operation of the motor, not shown. The member 58 is ivotally mounted to the shaft 68 and this s aft, in the modification shown in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, is pro'-y vided with the adjustable lever 70 pivotally mounted as at 72 to the link 74, said link being pivotally mounted as at 76 to the lever 78 orming a toggle The lever 78 is ivoted as at 77 to bracket 38 and provided, a jacent the top thereof, with the inwardly extending pin 80 adapted to have contact with one leg of the member 24 in any position thereof. The lever 78 is provided with the operating handle 82 for affecting manual closing of the switch.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 6, the shaft 68 is provided with the adjustable arm 84 having t e entrance portion 86 for cooperative engagement with the lower roller 82 pivotally mounted at one end of the lever 88, said lever being pivotally mounted as at to the bracket 38. The other end of the lever is provided with a suitable pin 92 having cooperative engagement with the member 24 in any position thereof, the lever 88 being also provided with the operating handle 94 for effecting manual operation thereof.

Assuming the 'switch to be open as shown in Figure 5, it being desired to fill the measuring container, when the handle 82 in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, and the handle 94 in Figure 6, is moved to the left as viewed in Figures 1 and 6, the spoon is moved in osition in way of the opening in the overdw pipe 10. In Figure 1 such movement causes the lever 78 to pivot around its pivot 77, moving the link and the adjacent leg of the member 70. This downward movement causes the arm 56 to depress the member 54, closing contact between the contacts 60 and 62 and the switch, contractin spring 50,

whereby electrical communicatlon is established between the source of electrical supply and the motor. The same effect is obtained in the device shown in Figure 6 as the pin 82 will ride uponvthe approach portion 86 of the lever 84 causing depression of the same and closing the contacts and establishing electrical communication between the conductors 64 and 66. When the container has been filled, excess liquid will spill over into the overflow pipe 10, and the impact on the spoon 16 will cause the same to be depressed, and in Figure'l, this will cause the lever 78 to move in a. clockwise direction to release the toggle formed by the pivots 72, 76 and 77. Breaking of the toggle will permit the spring 50 to cause the member 48 to break contacts between the switch 42 and the contacts 60 and 62 whereby the motor will cease operation of the pump. In a similar manner the lever 88 will be moved in a counter-clockwise direction, releasing the lever 84 for permitting the switch to move to open position.

It is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown, which are merely by Way of illustration and not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will of course 'be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of an overflow conduit connecting a measuring container to'a supply tank, switch mechanism for controlling electrical connection to a motor whereby liquid may be selectively pumped to said measuring container, a pivotally mounted member in said overflow conduit, and connections between the member and the switch mechanism, said connections being constructed and arranged to hold the member substantially at right angles to the overflow conduit in the path of the overflow when the switch is held closed.

2. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of an overflow conduit connecting a measuring container to a supply tank, switch mechanism for controlling electrical connection to a motor whereby liquid may be selectively pumped to said measuring container, a pivotally mounted member in said overflow conduit, and connections between the member and the switch mechanism, said connections including a lever having a fixed pivot, whereby the switch when closed maintains the member in operative position at substantially right angles to the path of the overflow.

3. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of an overflow conduit connecting a measuring container to a supply tank, switch mechanism for controlling electrical connection to a motor whereby liquid may be selectively pumped to said measuring container, a pivotally mounted member in said overflow conduit, and connections between the member and the switch mechanism, said connections includinga lever having a Xed pivot and a connecting link forming a toggle therewith, whereby said switch is held closed when the member is inoperative position and open when the member is inoperative.

4.. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of an overflow conduit connecting a measuring container to a supply tank, switch mechanism for controlling electrical connection to a motor whereby liquid may be selectively pumped to said measuring container, a shaft journaled in the overflow conduit and mounting a member in the pathof the overflow` and means operatively connecting the shaft with the switch mechanism, said means including connections holding the switch closed when the member is in operative position and open when the member is inoperative, and means on the connections for manually actuating the switch mechanism and member.

5. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of an overflow conduit connecting a measuring container to a supply tank, switch mechanism for controlling electrical connection to a motor whereby liquid may be selectively pumped to said measuring container, said switch mechanism including contacts, a switch member adapted to bridge said contacts to establish electrical connection therebetween, a member for moving said switch member out of contact with at least one of said contacts, and means in said overow pipe operableby overflow liquid for operat-L ing said switch member.

6. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of an overflow conduit connecting a measuring container to a supply tank, switch mechanism for controlling electrical connecbetween, a member for moving said switchV member .out of contact with at least one of said contacts, a lever secured to said switch member, a lever engaging said first named lever for eifecting' operation of said switch member, and means in said overflow pipe -operable by overflow liquid for moving said switch member to inoperative position, op-

eration of said second named lever to move said means in said overflow pipe to position to receive liquid serving to permit said second named member to move said switch member to operative position.

8. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of an overflow conduit connecting a measuring container to a supply tank, switch mechanism for controlling electrical connection to a motor whereby liquid may be selectively pumped to said measuring container, means for operating said switch mechanism including a toggle, and means in said overflow conduit for moving said toggle.

9. In liquid dispensing apparatus, the combination of an overflow conduit connecting a measuring container to a supply tank, switch mechanism for controlling electrical connection to a motor whereby liquid may be selectively pumped to said measuring container, means for operating said switch mechanism including a lever adapted to be moved to position to retain said switch in operative position, and means in said overflow conduit 

